[Illustration: FIG. 30.--EWER AND BASIN. _18th Century._] Fig. 29, a bowl and cover, painted with nude figures after Annibale Caracci; and filled in with fruit, foliage, and cartouches, is signed "Liborius Grue P." NAPLES Maiolica was made in the city of Naples in the 17th century, but little is known respecting it. Examples of the fayence of the 18th century are frequently met with, signed FDV--F. del Vecchio; Giustiniani; the letter N crowned, and sometimes the letters H.F. MONTE LUPO The plates and dishes of coarse heavy earthenware, rudely painted with large caricature figures of soldiers and men in curious Italian costumes of the 17th and 18th centuries, in menacing and warlike attitudes, striding across the plates, holding swords, spears, and other weapons, are usually attributed to Monte Lupo, near Florence. The manufactory is still in existence. Fig. 31, is signed on the back "Raffaello Girolamo fecit Monte Lupo 1639." [Illustration: FIG. 31.--PLATE. THREE CAVALIERS.] MILAN No specimens can be identified of an earlier date than the 18th century. The fayence is usually painted with grotesque figures, but sometimes with flowers and scrolls in relief, also with Watteau or Chinese subjects. (See Fig. 33.) Some pieces, apparently of a later date, are from the manufactory of Pasquale Rubati, and usually signed with his initials. [Illustration: FIG. 32.--ÉCUELLE AND DISH. _18th Century._] [Illustration: FIG. 33.--EWER AND DISH. _18th Century._] [Illustration: FIG. 34.--CUP AND PLATE. _18th Century._] TURIN That there was a manufactory of maiolica at Turin in the 16th century is proved by a dish with pierced border, painted on the inside with a boy carrying two birds on a long pole; it is marked underneath--Fatta in Torino adi 12 di Setēbre 1577 (see Fig. 35). The manufactory was in existence in the first half of the 18th century and was under Royal patronage, as a large dish which was in the collection of the Marquis D'Azeglio is inscribed on the back of the rim: "Fabrica Reale di Torino GR 1737." In the centre of the reverse is a monogram composed of F. R. T. (Fabbrica Reale Torino). [Illustration: FIG. 35.--DISH. _Dated_ 1577.] FERRARA Alfonso I., Duke of Ferrara, himself occasionally worked in a room attached to his palace, and is said to have discovered a fine white colour, which was adopted by the _fabriques_ of Urbino. He died in 1534. His successor, Duke Alfonso II., summoned Camillo Fontana (son of the celebrated Orazio Fontana of Urbino) in 1567 to give new life to the manufactory. All the well-known pieces bearing the _impresa_ of the Duke, a flame of fire and the motto "ARDET ETERNUM," were produced at this _fabrique_, about 1579. At a much later period, probably late in the 17th century, there was still a manufactory here. [Illustration: FIG. 36.--PLATEAU. THE TRIUMPH OF BACCHUS. _First Half of the 18th Century._] BASSANO, NEAR VENICE